First contact
In all cases, we are unable to support your request for help until we have received clear details in writing. This can take the form of an email or letter. We ask you to confirm in writing what your requirements are, and to give contact details. We will then contact you to discuss the request. This system is very important as it verifies that there have been no misunderstandings in terms of what is required and provides a record should we need to review what we were asked for. It also provides a simple filter to avoid us chasing spurious requests by simply checking that the contact is genuine. Please be as specific as you can when describing your requirements: include details such as whether interviews can take place by telephone or need to be in person, if participants can remain anonymous or use pseudonyms, and if any travelling will be required. We will do our utmost to reply quickly; however, do bear in mind that we are sometimes very busy and have to respond to those requesting help and support first.
Requests for people to participate in articles, programmes etc
This is the most common form of request we receive. Generally the requirements are very specific, and it is important to clarify precisely what these are. For example, consider details such as:
§ Do you need someone who can be identified (ie give their name), or can participants be anonymous?
§ Do you need a photo/’real’ image, or can silhouettes or similar be used?
§ Are you looking for someone with a particular background or history (for example, a male suffer, or someone who suffered with a specific type of eating disorder).
Please be aware that the more specific you are, the less likely we will be able to help you. Some requirements also make it much less likely that we will be able to help: for example needing to identify people or include photographs. Eating disorders are sensitive and painful subjects and our volunteers have to be extremely brave to take part in any article/programme. Please remember this and be sympathetic. The more flexible you can be the better the chance we can help.
Giving opinions/quotes
Occasionally we are asked to make a comment about a specific topic, event or article. Please note that it is ABC’s policy to never give verbal quotes over the phone. This is simply to make sure for both parties that we are able to make sure we give the right information in the right way. As for any request, we need to ascertain the details of the issue about which we are being asked to comment, who the media representative is working for and where the quote will be used. Please contact us in writing to confirm the nature of your request. If it is then felt that we do wish to make a comment, this will be done in writing (by email or letter).